KATHMANDU: The market monitoring team led by Minister for Supplies Shiva Kumar Mandal sealed four shops after they were found cheating consumers by selling products at an excessive rates.

The team sealed Storeone, Bentley, Puma and Nike shops in Darbarmarg today.

Minister Shiva Kumar Mandal said the shops were found over billing, offering festive discount by adding excessive amount to the original cost price and bills were not recorded properly.

Minister for Supplies Shiva Kumar Mandal briefs media about their finding during market monitoring in Darbarmarg, Kathmandu, on Monday, September 4, 2017. Photo courtesy: Ministry of Supplies

"The team found Nike selling its brand shoe up to Rs 26, 990 almost six fold to its original price of Rs 4, 700." Minister added.

Similarly, North Face had sold items worth Rs 13,000 but made a bill of Rs 4,000.

CPN-Maoist leader Mandal summoned shopkeepers with necessary documents within three days to the Ministry.

Minister Mandal also said that the consumers are compelled to purchase in hiked price as shopkeepers are motivating for wrong practices in the society.

"The government is committed to stopping practices of cheating common people by coordinating between the shopkeepers and Consumers Protection Welfare Committee," added the Minister.

"We will take stern actions against the guilty shopkeepers as per the existing laws and order, innocent traders will not be hampered by our monitoring team," shared Mandal.

The team also monitored shops in City Centre in Kamaladi, North Face in Thamel, Bhatbhateni and Naxal today.

Department of Supply Management and Protection of Consumers Interest Director General Kumar Dahal said shopkeepers would be tried under Black-marketing and some other social offences and punishment Act 1975.